Rwanda anger at South Africa Nyamwasa shooting probe

Page last updated at 14:49 GMT, Wednesday, 7 July 2010 15:49 UKE-mail this to a friend Printable version Lt Gen Nyamwasa used to be a close ally of Rwandan President Kagame Rwanda has expressed its concern over the way the authorities in South Africa are investigating the shooting of a former Rwandan army chief of staff.

Lt Gen Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa was wounded outside his house in Johannesburg last month.

The foreign minister said she had summoned the South African ambassador to voice her alarm over official insinuations that Rwanda was involved.

The general went into exile this year after falling out with the president.

Four people - reportedly from Tanzania, Somalia and Mozambique - have been charged with his attempted murder.

But last week a South African foreign ministry official said foreign "security operatives" were involved in the shooting.

FAUSTIN KAYUMBA NYAMWASAContinue reading the main story 1994: Helped bring Paul Kagame to power and end genocide 1998: Appointed army chief of staff 2006: French judge accuses him of shooting down plane of Rwanda's ex-President Habyarimana in 1994 2008: Spain accuses him of links to death of Spanish nuns Feb 2010: Leaves post as ambassador to India, flees to South Africa Accused of links to grenade attacks in Kigali June 2010: Shot in Johannesburg Division in Rwanda's military ranks

Profile: Rwanda President Kagame "Some insinuations emanating from official circles in South Africa and carried in the media appear to be pointing a finger at the Rwandan government," Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo told the AFP news agency.

The minister said such allegations were "wrong and untrue", Rwanda's New Times newspaper reports.

"Rwanda and South Africa have enjoyed good relations for the last 16 years, but we are surprised by the manner in which investigations are being conducted which is very unprofessional," the private paper quotes her as saying.

Lt Gen Nyamwasa is accused of being behind grenade attacks in Rwanda's capital, Kigali, earlier this year in which more than 30 people were injured and one person was killed.

He - and a former colonel in the Rwandan army also living in exile in South Africa - have denied the allegations.